System for distributed media network and meta data server

RELATED REFERENCES

0001This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/777,500, filed on Feb. 5, 2001, which is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional application No. 60/180,248, filed on Feb. 4, 2000, and claims priority to said provisional application, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

0002This invention relates to network media systems, specifically to network systems for the delivery of information or entertainment data.

BACKGROUND

0003Devices connected to a network commonly are used to access media data over that network. Servers and databases are required to handle all requests by a networked media device and deliver the requested media data. Media systems that deliver media data to a media device over a computer network typically consist of a client device, a server and a database. Client devices log in to the network server. A client application requests data from the server. The server communicates with the database and requests that the database retrieve the specific data file. The data file is retrieved by the database and sent to the server. The server transfers the media data to the client over the network.

0004Media data such as audio, video and animated graphic data are typically large data files. Transmission of such data to a client device in a timely manner requires a significant amount of server bandwidth. Network bandwidth costs can be a significant percentage of the total costs of running and maintaining a media network server. Continuous programming of media data or sequential multimedia presentations may require multiple requests for additional media data. In addition, multiple devices accessing the network media server at the same time also contribute to additional server bandwidth requirements. Each request for media data increases the server bandwidth requirements and an increase in server workload. Media network servers handle all communications between the multiple clients and the database as well as sending the media data over the network. If demand for large media data files consumes the majority of the total server bandwidth, it limits the communication between the server and clients, which prevents additional clients from logging on to the network server.

0005Operators of such networked media data systems must design the media network system to meet the needs of peak bandwidth requirements to insure that requests made by client applications or devices are serviced and delivered in a timely manner without excessive delay times. System operators must purchase the network bandwidth required to service their media network's peak usage. Media systems that are accessed by a large amount of simultaneous clients can require enormous amounts of bandwidth for only a short period of time. Peak network usage may be, in fact, only a small percentage of the total average bandwidth used. Thus, operating costs of such a system can be very high for even a moderately frequented media network.

0006The operator of a media network system many times does not own the media data that is sent over the media network. Media data owners frequently license the media data to the network operators for limited use of the media data to help promote the sales of the media itself or associated products and services. Media data owners typically have the raw media in a format that is not optimized for network delivery. The media data must be sent to the network operators, digitized and encoded in media formats optimized for network delivery. The data next must be categorized and stored in the database. System operators incur significant time and costs for the categorization and storage of the media data. As mentioned, media data such as audio, video and animated graphics data can be very large. Storage costs of such data are expensive and time consuming.

0007The prior art media network systems present disadvantages for the media data owners. For example, once the media data has been input to the media network system, the media data owners no longer have direct control of the media data that they own. The operators of the media network control all day-to-day use of the media data. The addition or deletion of media data files to and from the network is much more difficult for the media data owners to control because they do not control or operate the media network.

0008Network operators also are presented with disadvantages of the above described prior art systems. When the media data that is being sent over the network has low sales, the operator of the network assumes the majority of the losses due to the bandwidth, storage and operation costs. The media data owners do not carry the burden of the overhead costs of the operation of the network, and therefore they can attempt to sell poor quality media products causing significant losses to the operators of the media network.

0009Finally, networked systems are susceptible to varying degrees of failure. Natural disasters, hardware and software failures all can affect the performance of a media network system. Technical difficulties that occur within the media system can affect the systems network connection, the retrieval of media data files, and may require the entire server to be reinitialized. Systems, which are contained at a single location, may have redundancy designed into the local system. However, catastrophic errors that affect the performance of an entire network area need to require additional network wide redundancy to increase network reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0010In accordance with the present invention a distributed media network system comprises a centralized meta data server accessible by client devices, and a multiplicity of distributed media data file servers that present several objects and advantages over the prior art.

0011It is a advantage of the present invention to provide lower peak bandwidth requirements for each media data file server by distributing the media data files over a limitless number of media data file servers connected to a computer network.

0012It is another advantage to provide a reduced workload of each server by limiting its functionality and server tasks and responsibilities.

0013Another advantage of the preset invention is to provide a reduced workload to each media data file server by limiting the total number of media data files it is required store and serve.

0014Yet another advantage is to provide an increase in the total number of clients able to connect and log in to a network with a low bandwidth, dedicated network communication and meta data server.

0015It is yet another advantage to provide greater control over the use of the media data files by the media data owners by allowing the media data owners to operate and maintain their own media data file servers.

0016Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide greater speed and ease for media data owners to input their media data into the media network system.

0017It is still another advantage to provide a more cost effective and efficient media network due to distributed control and management of a distributed media network.

0018The present invention also provides an advantage of protection against network wide failures by distributing redundant media data files on both primary and alternate media data file servers throughout the distributed media network system.

0019Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be evident in the ensuing description and figures.

0020In an exemplary embodiment, a system for distributed media network and meta data server includes at least one client device connected via a network to a meta data server. The meta data server retrieves data from a meta data database which stores a list of all media data files and their sequential order which make up a client selected program. The meta data database may also be a file management system on a computer, or any other compatible device that stores information about media data files, such as where the files are located, the file types, and the file sizes, etc. The client device receives a plurality of meta data from the meta data server including network addresses for primary and alternate servers, directory structures for primary and alternate storage devices, names of media data files, and other information associated with each media data file.

0021In an exemplary embodiment, each client device is networked to a plurality of primary media data file servers and alternate media data file servers via request and feedback network communication connections. Each data file server is associated with its own media data storage device. The multiple media data file servers are designated as primary data file servers for different media data files. Media data file servers include, but are not limited to, HyperText Transmission Protocol (“http”) file servers, File Transmission Protocol (“ftp”) servers, streaming media servers and multicast streaming media servers. Upon request, client devices also may act as media data file servers. Likewise, a media data server also may be a client device. The term media data as referred to herein may include audio, video, text, speech, Musical Instrument Digital Interface (“MIDI”), SMTPE, graphic, animations and other media data as potential types of media data that can be scheduled for retrieval, storage and access by an end user. Communication between a client device and the meta data server or media data file servers can be realized in hardware, software or firmware implementations. Potential client devices of an exemplary embodiment include computers, set top media devices, hand held devices, portable media devices, mobile media devices, wireless devices, satellite signal receivers and transmitting devices, short wave and common band radio devices, and any other devices capable of connection to a communication network.

0022Meta data servers of the exemplary embodiment transfer low bandwidth meta data to client devices and require lower peak bandwidths due to a distributed nature of the media network. Low bandwidth requirements of the meta data information allow a significant increase in the number of clients which can simultaneously log in to the dedicated meta data server. The media programs, which are a collection of related or linked media data files, can be distributed throughout the media network and result in lower peak bandwidth usage at each media data file server. Thus, each server in the distributed media network can respond more quickly and efficiently due to its limited functionality and scope of media data files it must server. Unlike traditional media servers which handle both communications with client devices and database, the distributed media network limits file transfers to the media data file servers and communications to the meta data servers. In addition, media data file servers only serve a percentage of total number of media data files in the media network. Smaller file storage requirements result in faster access times and reduced storage costs.

0023The owners of the media network operate and maintain the client device, the meta data server and meta data database servers. However, the distributed media network of the exemplary embodiment provides media data owners with greater control over the media data files they own. Media data owners can digitize, encode and post or remove their files on servers that they control and maintain. Media data owners also benefit from the speed and ease in which they can have their media files input to the system. Media data owners register all media files that they want available to client devices with the operators of the meta data servers. Once the required meta data information is obtained and stored in the meta data database and the files are posted on the media data file servers, the file will be available for access by the client devices.

0024In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the media data file servers can act as alternate file servers in case catastrophic errors occur to the primary media data file servers. This configuration results in a much more reliable and fault tolerant media network. The media network is less susceptible to regional catastrophic events than traditional media network systems. Alternate media data file servers may be designed more inexpensively with respect to the primary media data file servers because they are used only as a back up. Thus, alternate media data file servers require reduced peak bandwidth requirements due to their limited and rare use in the system. A single alternate media data file server may store the files of several primary media data file servers. Due to the alternate media data files server's limited use, slower access times to transfer the media data files are less of a concern.

0025The distributed media network and meta data server of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a low cost, efficient, reliable and versatile alternative to traditional media network systems. Shared control and shared costs of the distributed media network enable a low cost, efficient and highly reliable media network to both the media data file owners as well as the media network operators.

0026In an exemplary method of the use of the distributed media network, any connection to a network, e.g. land line, wireless or satellite transmissions, and other suitable connections that enable transfer of data from the network to the client device may be utilized. In a first exemplary method, a client device logs into a meta data server of the distributed media network. The meta data server and meta data database verify the client. Once verified and logged in, the client device may send a request for a media program to the meta data server. The meta data server utilizes a file lookup to determine the meta data for the media data of the program selected by the client device. The meta data server communicates the request meta data back to the client device. The client device utilizes the meta data to request media files from the primary media data file servers identified by the meta data. Once the primary media data file server receives the request, the primary media data file storage searches for the requested media file data. If the file is found, the primary media data file server transmits the data to the client for processing. The client may then request more media data files.

0027If the media data files are not found in the primary media data file storage, then a “not found” message is sent to the client device. The client device then determines whether the meta data includes the network addresses for alternate media data file storage that contains the requested media data. If an alternate media data file storage does not exist, then the client must request another media data file from the meta data server. If the meta data includes an alternate media data file storage address, then the client device requests the media data from the alternate media data file server. The media data file server processes the request and messages the alternate media data file storage to search for the requested media data. If the requested file is not found, and no alternate media data file storage addresses are contained in the meta data, the client device must initiate another request for media data. If the requested media data is found in the alternate media data file storage, the data is transmitted to the client device via the alternate media data file server. The client device then processes the media data file and may then request additional meta data from the meta data server.

0028The exemplary embodiment of the present invention also provides means for securing the media data files to protect the copyright holders and/or owners of the media data files from illegal copying. The files of a media data program may be stored in various media data file storage locations throughout the media network, or may be partial media data files, encrypted media data files or any combination thereof. In a method utilizing secured partial or encrypted media data files, the client device requires additional data to reconstruct the media data file and/or to unlock the encryption algorithm. The meta data server may be used to transfer this additional data to the client device once the client has been verified. In the method for secure media data files, once the requested media data file is found by a primary or alternate data file server, the client device must request additional media data if the received data is a partial file, and/or must request an encryption key from the meta server. Requests from the client device and the subsequent search for files at one of the primary or alternate media data file servers may involve several iterations to construct the full media data program in the secure distributed network system of the exemplary embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0029The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a block diagram of a client device, a meta data server and distributed media data file servers and all communications between each element;

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A to 2E</figref> is a system operation and communication flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3A to 3G</figref> is a system operation and communication flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system of the present invention. A client device <b>106</b> is connected to a meta data server <b>103</b>, a primary media data file server A <b>109</b>, a primary media data file server B <b>115</b>, a primary media data file server C <b>121</b>, and an alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>. In other embodiments of the present invention, additional alternate and primary media data file servers are connected to the client device via a network communication. The client device <b>106</b> messages to a meta data server <b>103</b> over a computer network via a meta data server request <b>104</b>, and receives messages from the meta data server <b>103</b> over a computer network via a meta data server feedback <b>105</b>. The meta data server <b>103</b> queries a meta data database <b>100</b> via a meta data database request <b>101</b>, and receives query results from the meta data database <b>100</b> via a meta data database feedback <b>102</b>.

0034The client device <b>106</b> of the preferred embodiment is connected over a computer network to primary media data file servers <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b> and an alternate media data file server <b>127</b>. Each connection includes a request connection <b>107</b>, <b>113</b>, <b>119</b>, <b>125</b>, and a feedback connection <b>108</b>, <b>114</b>, <b>120</b>, <b>126</b>. Specifically, the client device <b>106</b> messages a primary media data file server A <b>109</b> via a client device server A request <b>107</b> and receives communications and media data files from the primary media data file server A <b>109</b> via a client device server A feedback <b>108</b>. Similarly, the client device <b>106</b> messages the primary media data file server B <b>115</b> via a client device server B request <b>113</b>, which sends return communications and media data files to the client device <b>106</b> via a client device server B feedback <b>114</b>. Primary media data file server C <b>121</b> and alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> likewise receive requests from the client device <b>106</b> utilizing a client device server C request <b>119</b> network connection and a client device alternate server ABC request <b>125</b> network connection, respectively. Primary media data file server C <b>121</b> and alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> return communications and media data files to the client device <b>106</b> via a client device server C feedback <b>120</b> network connection and a client device alternate server ABC feedback <b>126</b> network connection.

0035The primary media data file server A <b>109</b> requests media data files from a primary media data storage A files A-AAA <b>112</b> via a primary media data file server A request <b>110</b>. In response, the primary media data storage A files A-AAA <b>112</b> messages back to the primary media data file server A <b>109</b> via a primary media data file server A feedback <b>111</b>. Likewise, the primary media data file server B <b>115</b> requests media data files from a primary media data storage B files B-BBB <b>118</b> via a primary media data file server B request <b>116</b> network connection, and receives data from the primary media data storage B files B-BBB <b>118</b> via a primary media data file server B feedback <b>117</b>. The primary media data file server C <b>121</b> requests media data files from a primary media data storage C files C-CCC <b>124</b> via a primary media data file server C request <b>122</b>. The primary media data storage C files C-CCC <b>124</b> messages back to the primary media data file server C <b>121</b> via a primary media data file server C Feedback <b>123</b>. Communications and data exchanges between the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> and the alternate media data storage ABC files A-AAA, B-BBB and C-CCC <b>130</b> is realized over an alternate media data file server ABC request <b>128</b> network connection and an alternate media data file server ABC feedback <b>129</b> network connection.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2A-2E</figref> illustrate a system operation and communication flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the system illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2A</figref>, the client device <b>106</b> first is required to login <b>200</b> to the meta data server <b>103</b> before it is allowed access to the information and data available on the media network. The client device <b>106</b> messages a login sequence <b>200</b> to the meta data server <b>103</b> to verify the client device's <b>106</b> authentication. The meta data server <b>103</b> processes the login request <b>201</b> by querying the meta data database <b>100</b> which verifies that the login sequence of the client device <b>106</b> matches with an entry stored in memory. The meta data database <b>100</b> messages back to the meta data server <b>103</b>, via the meta data database feedback <b>102</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, if the login sequence is matched <b>202</b>. The meta data server <b>103</b> returns a true or false authorization <b>203</b> to the client device <b>103</b> via the meta data server feedback <b>105</b>. If the meta data server <b>103</b> has denied authorization <b>203</b>, the client device <b>106</b> may try again to login to the meta data server <b>103</b> or cease operation. If the client device <b>106</b> has been authorized <b>203</b> to login to the meta data server <b>103</b>, a return message is sent to the client device <b>106</b>. The client device <b>106</b> then can request new media data <b>204</b> from the meta data server <b>103</b> for the media program schedules by the client device <b>103</b>. The meta data server <b>103</b> then processes the media data request for the media program <b>205</b>, and messages to the meta data database <b>100</b> via the meta data database request <b>101</b>.

0037Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the meta data database <b>100</b> stores a list of all media data files and their sequential order which make up the client selected program. The meta data database <b>100</b> utilizes stored data of previous requests and transactions made by the particular client device <b>103</b> to determine <b>206</b> which media data file is next on the program list. The result of the media program file lookup <b>206</b> is sent to the meta data server <b>103</b>, which then requests <b>207</b> the meta data database <b>100</b> to retrieve all associated meta data for that media data file <b>208</b>. Meta data for a particular media data file includes, but is not limited to, the following information: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0038">(1) A network address of a primary server <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b> that has access to the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0039">(2) Directory structure of a primary storage device <b>112</b>, <b>118</b>, <b>124</b> that contains the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0040">(3) The name of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0041">(4) A network address of all alternate servers <b>127</b> that have access to the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0005" num="0042">(5) Directory structure of all alternate storage devices <b>130</b> that contain the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0006" num="0043">(6) The name of an owner of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0007" num="0044">(7) The name of a composer of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0008" num="0045">(8) The name of a copyright holder of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0009" num="0046">(9) The network address of a primary or alternate server <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b>, <b>127</b> that has access to a graphical image associated with the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0010" num="0047">(10) Directory structure of the primary or alternate storage device <b>112</b>, <b>118</b>, <b>124</b>, <b>130</b> that contains a graphical image associated the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0011" num="0048">(11) The name of the graphical image file associated media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0012" num="0049">(12) The title of the artistic work contained in the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0013" num="0050">(13) The title of the body of work in which the media data file is associated;</li><li id="ul0002-0014" num="0051">(14) Performers of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0015" num="0052">(15) Composers of artistic work contained on the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0016" num="0053">(16) Creators of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0017" num="0054">(17) A network address of a primary or alternate server <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b>, <b>127</b> that has access to additional information about artistic work contain in the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0018" num="0055">(18) Directory structure of a primary or alternate storage device <b>112</b>, <b>118</b>, <b>124</b>, <b>130</b> that contains the additional information about the work contained in the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0019" num="0056">(19) The name of the file that contains the additional information about the artistic work contained in the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0020" num="0057">(20) A network address of a primary or alternate server <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b>, <b>127</b> which offers the sale of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0021" num="0058">(21) Directory structure of a primary or alternate storage device <b>112</b>, <b>118</b>, <b>124</b>, <b>130</b> that contains the sales information for the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0022" num="0059">(22) The name of the file that contains the information on the sale of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0023" num="0060">(23) A network address of a primary or alternate server <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b>, <b>127</b> which offers the sale of associated products of the media data file;</li><li id="ul0002-0024" num="0061">(24) Directory structure of a primary or alternate storage device <b>112</b>, <b>118</b>, <b>124</b>, <b>130</b> that contains the sales information for the associated products of the media data file; and</li><li id="ul0002-0025" num="0062">(25) The name of the file that contains the information on the sale of associated products of the media data file.</li></ul></li></ul>

0063Continuing with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, the Meta Data Server <b>103</b> does not transmit actual media files to the Client Device <b>106</b>. Only the meta data associated with a particular media file is handled by the meta data server <b>103</b>. All meta data for the selected media data file is retrieved <b>208</b> from memory by the meta data database <b>100</b> and sent to the meta data server <b>103</b> via the meta data database feedback <b>102</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. In block <b>209</b>, the meta data server <b>103</b> messages all of the meta data information the client device <b>106</b> via the meta data server feedback <b>105</b>. The client device <b>106</b> messages one of the primary media data file servers <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b>, as shown in block <b>210</b>, using the network address of the primary server <b>109</b>, <b>115</b>, <b>121</b>, directory structure of the primary storage device <b>112</b>, <b>118</b>, <b>124</b> and the file name of the media data file. For purposes of clarity in this description of operation, primary media data file server A <b>109</b> is selected to be the primary media data file server for the selected media data file. As shown in block <b>211</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2B</figref>, media data file server A <b>109</b> queries the media data file storage A <b>112</b> via the media data file request <b>110</b> for the media data file.

0064Referring to block <b>212</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2C</figref>, if the requested media data file is stored in primary media data storage A files <b>112</b>, the requested media file is transferred via the primary media data file server A feedback <b>111</b> to the primary media data file server A <b>109</b>. The primary media data file server A <b>109</b> next transfers <b>213</b> the media data file to the client device <b>106</b> via the client device server A feedback <b>108</b>. The client device receives the media data file <b>214</b>, processes the media data file <b>215</b>, and, as shown in block <b>216</b>, returns to block <b>204</b> to request new media data for a media program.

0065Referring back to block <b>212</b>, if the media data file is not located in the primary media data file storage A <b>112</b>, or if media data file server A <b>109</b> is operating defectively for any reason, the media data file will be unable to transfer to the Client Device <b>106</b>. Upon receiving an error message from the primary media data file server A <b>109</b>, or upon not being able to establish communication with the primary media data file server A <b>109</b>, the client device <b>106</b> checks whether the media data file is accessible by an alternate media data file server <b>217</b>. For the purposes of clarity in this description of operation, alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> is selected to be the alternate media data file server for the selected media data file. Continuing to block <b>218</b>, if the client device <b>106</b> does not have meta data for an alternate media data storage <b>130</b>, operation returns to block <b>204</b> to request new media data for a media program.

0066As shown in block <b>219</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2D</figref>, if the client device <b>106</b> has meta data for an alternate media data storage <b>130</b>, then the client device <b>106</b> messages the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> using the network address of the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, the directory structure of the alternate media data storage ABC <b>130</b>, and the file name of the media data file via the client device alternate server ABC request <b>125</b> network connection. The alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> processes the media data file request <b>220</b> and queries the alternate media data file storage ABC <b>130</b> for the media data file via the alternate media data file server ABC request <b>128</b>. If the media data file is stored in memory <b>221</b> in the alternate media data file storage ABC <b>130</b>, the file is transferred, via the alternate media data file storage ABC feedback <b>129</b>, to the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, as shown in block <b>225</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2E</figref>. The alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> next transfers the media data file to the client device <b>106</b> via the client device alternate sever ABC Feedback <b>126</b>. The client device <b>106</b> receives the media data file <b>226</b>, processes the media data file <b>227</b>, and as shown in block <b>228</b>, returns to block <b>204</b> to request new media data for a media program.

0067Referring back to block <b>221</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2D</figref>, if the media data file is not located in the alternate media data file storage ABC <b>130</b>, or if the alternate media data file server ABC <b>130</b> is operating defectively for any reason, the media data file will be unable to transfer to the Client Device <b>106</b>. Upon receiving an error message from the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, or upon not being able to establish communication with the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, the client device <b>106</b> determines whether the media data file is accessible by another alternate media data file server as shown in block <b>222</b>. The client device <b>106</b> continues to try alternate media data file servers, block <b>224</b>, until it succeeds in retrieving the media data file or until it has tried all media data file servers but has been unsuccessful at locating the media data file. If the client device is unsuccessful, block <b>224</b>, it will message the meta data server <b>103</b> of the error and request the next media data file for the selected program via the meta data server request <b>104</b>.

0068<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3A-3G</figref> illustrates the system operation and communication flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Copyright holders and/or owners of the media data files may require that security measures be taken to insure that the intellectual property contained in the media data files distributed throughout the media network are protected and are not easily stolen or copied illegally. Files stored in memory on the various media data file storage locations throughout the media network may instead be partial media data files, encrypted media data files or a combination of the two. Having partial files and/or encrypted media data files distributed throughout the media network adds additional protection from possible copyright infringing by those who do not have explicit rights for the use of the media data files. Partial and/or encrypted media data files that are transferred to the client device <b>106</b> require additional data to reconstruct the media data file and/or unlock the encryption algorithm. In addition to previously described responsibilities, the meta data server <b>103</b> can is used to transfer this additional data to the client device <b>106</b>.

0069Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3A</figref>, access to the secure system for a distributed media network requires a client device <b>106</b> to login to a meta data server as shown in block <b>300</b>. The client device <b>106</b> sends a message to login to the meta data server <b>103</b>, which processes the login request <b>301</b>. The meta data server communicates with the meta data database <b>100</b> to receive client verification <b>302</b>. If the client is not verified <b>303</b>, control returns to the client device <b>106</b>. If the client device <b>106</b> has been authorized <b>203</b> to login to the meta data server <b>103</b>, a return message is sent to the client device <b>106</b>. The client device <b>106</b> then requests new media data <b>304</b> from the meta data server <b>103</b> for the media program schedules by the client device <b>103</b>. The meta data server <b>103</b> then processes the media data request for the media program <b>305</b>, and messages to the meta data database <b>100</b> via the meta data database request <b>101</b>.

0070Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref>, the meta data database <b>100</b> stores a list of all media data files and their sequential order which make up the client selected program. The meta data database <b>100</b> utilizes stored data of previous requests and transactions made by the particular client device <b>103</b> to determine <b>306</b> which media data file is next on the program list. The result of the media program file lookup <b>306</b> is sent to the meta data server <b>103</b>, which then requests <b>307</b> the meta data database <b>100</b> to retrieve all associated meta data for that media data file <b>308</b>. In block <b>309</b>, the meta data server <b>103</b> messages all of the meta data information the client device <b>106</b>, which, in turn, messages one of the primary media data file servers <b>109</b>, as shown in block <b>310</b>, using the network address of the primary server <b>109</b>, the directory structure of the primary storage device <b>112</b> and the file name of the media data file. As shown in block <b>311</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3B</figref>, media data file server A <b>109</b> queries the media data file storage A <b>112</b> via the media data file request <b>110</b> for the media data file.

0071Referring to block <b>312</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3C</figref>, if the requested media data file is stored in primary media data storage A files <b>112</b>, the requested media file is transferred to the primary media data file server A <b>109</b>, which then transfers <b>313</b> the media data file to the client device <b>106</b>. The client device <b>106</b> receives the media data file <b>314</b>, then requests an additional media data file and/or encryption key <b>315</b> from the meta data server <b>103</b>. The meta data server <b>103</b> processes the request for the additional media data file <b>316</b>, and retrieves the additional data and/or encryption key from the meta data database <b>100</b> as shown in block <b>317</b>. Referring to block <b>318</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3D</figref>, the meta data server <b>103</b> sends the additional media data file and/or encryption key to the client device <b>106</b>. The client device <b>106</b> processes the media data file <b>319</b>, and as shown in block <b>320</b>, returns to block <b>304</b> to request new media data for a media program.

0072Referring again to block <b>312</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3C</figref>, if the requested media data file is not stored in primary media data storage A file <b>112</b>, then the client server <b>106</b> determines whether there is meta data available of alternate media data file storage, as shown in decision block <b>321</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3D</figref>. If no meta data is available <b>321</b>, the client server returns to block <b>304</b> to request new media data for a media program, as shown in block <b>322</b>. If meta data is available <b>321</b>, the client device <b>106</b> requests media files from an alternate media data file server, as shown in block <b>323</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3E</figref>, using the network address of the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, the directory structure of the alternate media data storage ABC <b>130</b>, and the file name of the media data file. The alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> processes the media data file request <b>324</b> and queries the alternate media data file storage ABC <b>130</b> for the media data file. If the media data file is not located in the alternate media data file storage ABC <b>130</b>, or if the alternate media data file server ABC <b>130</b> is operating defectively for any reason, the media data file will be unable to transfer to the Client Device <b>106</b>. Upon receiving an error message from the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, or upon not being able to establish communication with the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, the client device <b>106</b> determines whether the media data file is accessible by another alternate media data file server as shown in block <b>326</b>. The client device <b>106</b> continues to try alternate media data file servers, block <b>328</b>, until it succeeds in retrieving the media data file or until it has tried all media data file servers but has been unsuccessful at locating the media data file. If the client device is unsuccessful, block <b>327</b>, it messages the meta data server <b>103</b> of the error and request the next media data file for the selected program.

0073Referring again to block <b>325</b>, if the media data file is stored in memory in the alternate media data file storage ABC <b>130</b>, the file is transferred to the alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b>, as shown in block <b>329</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3E</figref>. The alternate media data file server ABC <b>127</b> next transfers the media data file to the client device <b>106</b> via the client device alternate sever ABC Feedback <b>126</b>. The client device <b>106</b> receives the media data file <b>330</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3F</figref>, and requests an additional media data file and/or encryption key <b>331</b> from the meta data server <b>103</b>. The meta data server <b>103</b> processes the request for an additional media data file and/or encryption key <b>332</b> the media data file <b>227</b>, and receives the information from the meta data database <b>100</b>, as shown in block <b>333</b>. Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3G</figref>, the meta data server <b>103</b> sends the data and/or encryption key to the client device, block <b>334</b>. The client device <b>106</b> processes the media data file <b>335</b> and returns to block <b>304</b> to request new media data for a media program, as shown in block <b>336</b>.

0074Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.